Zaha - 20 next month - was born in the Ivorian city of ­Abidjan, but moved to England as a child, says the Mirror.

The striker has so far chosen to ­represent his adopted country and was part of the Under-21 team that won a ­controversial match in Serbia ­earlier this month to clinch a place in the Euro ­finals next ­summer.

But his place among the Under-21s will not prevent him choosing to be part of the Ivory Coast senior side that will ­compete in the ­Africa Cup of ­Nations in South Africa in January.

Drogba - idolised in the Ivory Coast - is playing in China after leaving Chelsea last June.